Bottle carrier



July 4, 1950 H. MUELLER 2,514,252

BOTTLE CARRIER Filed May 31, 1946 u la f/ Patented July 4, 1950 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE BOTTLE CARRIER Harry E. Mueller, Salem, Ill.

Application May 31, 1946, Serial No. 673,235

1 Claim. 1

The invention relates to carrying devices for engaging and moving anumber of similar articles by one operation, but more particularly todevices of this kind which are adapted to facilitate the handling ofbottles for milk and beverages which are commonly returned for reuse;and has for its objects the provision of a device of this characterwhich can be constructed of inexpensive and disposable material, of fewand similar parts, easy to assemble and highly efficient in use.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists of the combinations and arrangements of partshereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings forming a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 isa plan view of a device embodying the invention as arranged ready foruse;

Figure 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section taken on line 3--3 of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is an end View of the device with fragmentary portions ofbottles shown in dotted line, in position prior to engagement ordisengagement.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings comprises abody I constructed of suitable fibrous material such as cardboard. andprovided with a base II which is substantially a rectangular plaque ofeven thickness with three oblong openings I2 arranged transverselythereof, as best shown in Figure 1.

Mounted longitudinally on the upper side of the base II is a centrallyarranged parting strip I3 and two marginally aligned side strips I4 andI 5 in spaced and parallel relation with said parting strip I3.

The strips I3, I4 and I5 are secured to the base lI by suitable staplesI IS as shown in Figure 1. The spacing of the strips I3, I 4 and I5provide two longitudinal grooves I'I and I8 having a depth equal to thethickness of the material used, providing side walls I9 adapted to serveas jambs 2i] for pairs of cooperating companion flaps 22 and 23 fittinginto the grooves I1 and I8 resting against the base II. Each of theflaps 22 and 23 are hingedly connected to their re.. spective abuttingstrips I3, I4 and I5 by flexible hinge members 24, 25 and 26 cemented tothe upper surface of said iiaps 22 and 23 and strips I3, I4 and I5.

The cooperating companion flaps 22 and 23 are 5 provided at their freeedges with transversely aligned semi-circular notches 21 arranged overthe oblong openings I2 in the base II.

The body In is provided with a cord handle loop 28 which is centrallymounted by having its ends 29 inserted through suitable holes 30extending through the base II, where it can be knotted to preventremoval as shown in Figure 2, or otherwise secured.

A median cross section of Figure 1 shown in Figure 4 illustrates thearrangements and combinations of parts as applied in use.

The arrangement is such that when the carrier is placed down over agroup of bottles arranged approximately in place, the tops of thebottles 3| push the flaps 22 and 23 upwardly until the notches 21 havepassed the crowns 28 and are resting against the necks of the bottles3|, then by lifting on the handle 28 the weight of the bottles 3|frictionally engages the said aps 22 and 23 in the notches 2'I drawingthem downwardly into gripping engagement, as will be readily understood.

While I have illustrated and described a particular form of theinvention in its precise arrangement, I do not wish to be limited bythis disclosure. but desire to avail myself to such variations andmodifications as may fall within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaim.

I claim:

In combination with a bottle carrier comprising a rectangular base ofsubstantially even thickness constructed of suitable cardboard or thelike, and provided with a plurality of trans# versely arranged oblongopenings; a parting strip having parallel side walls centrally mountedlongitudinally of said base; side strips having inwardly facing sidewalls mounted in spaced and parallel relation with said parting strip; apair of companion flaps co-operatively arranged between each side stripand said parting strip; inwardly facing side walls on said parting stripand said side strips forming jambs for said cooperating flaps; a stripof thin flexible material attached on the upper and outer side of eachjuncture of each co-operating flap with its respective adjoining sidestrip and forming a hinge therefor; there being transversely alignednotches in the free edge of said co-operating aps forming openingscommunicating with said oblong base openings when in closed position.

HARRY E. MUELLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,140,314 Doscher Dec. 13, 19382,339,598 Burge et al Jan. 18, 1944 2,397,716 Wendler Apr. 2, 19462,417,775 Mullen Mar. 18, 1947

